Vice-President of Iraq: victory in Mosul – is not US achievement

The victory over the “Islamic State” * in Mosul is an achievement not of the United States, but of the Iraqi army and the people’s militia, Iraqi Vice-President Nouri al-Maliki said.

“They (the US – Ed.) say – and I’m sorry about this and deny it – that this victory (in Mosul – ed.) Is their achievement that they were fighting this war, but, in fact, this is the victory of the Iraqi army. Yes, they supported us with aviation, but the main merit belongs to the Iraqi soldier, the people’s militia, the aircraft of the Armed Forces of Iraq, “Maliki said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

The campaign to release Mosul from the ISIS* militants began in October last year. The operation involved army special forces, federal police, rapid reaction forces and the armed forces of Iraq. From the air, the support of the Iraqi forces was provided by the aviation of the international coalition led by the United States.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi last week officially announced the victory over the ISIS* in Mosul, which the militants held under their control for more than three years. American general Stephen Townsend, commander of the operation against the IG, later said that Mosul’s mopping up of the militants would take several more weeks.